Monday, July 18, 2011

Its Summer time and fruits are in! At some point you’re probably going to take a trip out to the Okanagan and stop by the Heavy laden fruit stands, or indulge in some of our local produce, but I’d like you to take into account a few key things when it comes to fruit!

Having grown up in South Africa, with parents who were strict Vegans & studious followers of Good Health practices, fruit was a major part of our diet. When it came to fruit, it wasn’t just about eating it, it was about how and when to eat it. You may not know, but there is a correct way to indulge in the sweet, succulent and colorful array of goodness!

1. Don’t eat fruits after your meals! Fruits should be eaten on an empty stomach, as it will play a major role in detoxifying your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

2. Fruit is an extremely important food source; know when to eat it! For example, let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through your digestive tract, but it is prevented from doing so. In the meantime the bread starts to ferment and turns to acid, thus rotting in your gut.

3. If you have master the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight! Our previous notions of whether some fruits are good or bad is completely bogus, as all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter.

FYI. Do not drink cold water after a meal! Cold water solidifies oils that you have just consumed. It will also slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with acid in your stomach, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. This in turn lines the intestine and turns into fat. As my mom says, “It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.”… Makes sense right?

5.Fruit Types and their Energizing, Revitalizing and Healing Properties:

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & Flavonoids which enhance the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: A Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing free radicals.

ORANGE: The Sweetest medicine. Eating 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones, as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with glutathione, which helps boost our immune system; also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, which is good for your eyes.